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Ross Andru's Amazing Spider-Man Club
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Started by Get Marwood & I,

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Spider-Variant

Spider-Variant

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Happy Father's Day!

Amazing Spider-Man 153 was the first issue I bought off the stands.  My older brother was a long time collector and had issues 145, 148, and 150 (two copies because he was convinced it was going to be a collector's item), but with issue 153 I took the family reins as the Amazing Spider-Man collector.

So, when I started these side by side comparisons of Ross Andru's work to his real world inspirations, I was really excited to tear into issue 153.  But when I started dissecting the splash page, I got disenchanted.  Things weren't lining up between the St. Patrick's Cathedral and what Ross drew.  Coupled with the fact that it's a very complex structure, with all the angles, it was tough sledding.  Additionally, the background building didn't look correct and it sure didn't match what is there today.

I went on to the second page and found it was a perfect match to south side of the building.  So what the heck was going on?

Part of the problem is that I made two incorrect assumptions.  1)  Ross drew a random building in the background and 2) St. Patrick's Cathedral has not changed since it's been built.  Let's tackle the first today and save the latter for down the road.

Ross would have drawn this issue in Sept./Oct. 1975.  In 1975, the Olympic building which currently stands next to St. Patrick's Cathedral was still under construction.  Hmmm, perhaps Ross drew the previous building.  The Best and Co. building stood there from 1947 to 1971, but looks nothing like what Ross drew.  But if I go back to the building before that, the Union Club building, it's a very good match to what Ross drew.  To me, the building Ross drew always looked out of place and I think this is the reason why, as it was built in 1902 and stood to 1944, when it was demolished.

I point out the matching features on the splash.  I think Ross just extended the building higher for effect.  The balcony height (see inset photo) on the top floor matches pretty well with the balcony height in Ross's depiction.  The windows and brick pattern match decently as well.

If we could ever find his references for St. Patrick's Cathedral, I am sure it predates 1944.  At least that is my theory on this Sunday morning. hm :cloud9:

image.thumb.png.c949bb502743716c3b3e3a189f9a24e9.png

image.thumb.png.8c16aac70e7e45b389f900e58a9404f1.png

Edited by Spider-Variant
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Spider-Variant

Spider-Variant

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On 6/16/2021 at 8:41 AM, Spider-Variant said:

You can see Ross's signature on a few original art pages, here and there.    I can dig a few out, if there is interest.

The one above posted by @Get Marwood & I look legit to me, but I'm no expert.  Would love to own that book, if true.

 

 

This looks like Ross's signature with him then penciling in the inker's name, Mike Esposito.  

image.png.420d93638686fadab9b15ed59bb6628d.png

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FoggyNelson

FoggyNelson

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On 6/23/2021 at 10:14 AM, Spider-Variant said:

Agreed.

I think ASM 97 may be my favorite all time Spider-Man cover.  But all the Goblin covers are good.  

Yes this non comic code covers are good ‼️👍

Goblin saying as Spidey is slipping “ it had to happen! I planned it that way “

is one my favorite comic book lines

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Spider-Variant

Spider-Variant

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As I think I have about found all of Ross Andru's real life references during his run on Amazing Spider-Man, I wanted to put this one to bed.

After spending more hours than I should have, I have convinced myself the building on the splash of ASM 153 is the front face of St. Patrick's Cathedral.  The main stained glass looked different to me, but I think that is just the angle from which it is viewed.  The small inset photo matches what Ross drew decently, but my bigger picture doesn't appear to, but the glass hasn't changed from 1960 to today.  Also, the top of the archway over the door was changed over the years, so what Ross drew matches the older version better than the current version.  There are some minor differences from what Ross drew to what the building looks like today (or even when he drew it), but I am now convinced it's exactly what Ross drew.  I point out below all the matches, using different colored lines to help keep the left, middle, and right sides identified.

image.thumb.png.111d35083d465b2fba7844f2b4f08aa3.png

 

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Get Marwood & I

Get Marwood & I

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3 minutes ago, Spider-Variant said:

After spending more hours than I should have

I spent 5 hours today updating Thorpe & Porter indicia summaries, so you're in good company Reggie :grin:

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Spider-Variant

Spider-Variant

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4 hours ago, Get Marwood & I said:

I spent 5 hours today updating Thorpe & Porter indicia summaries, so you're in good company Reggie :grin:

I'm just finally relieved I could make sense of what my eyes (older now, for sure) were seeing.  I knew that building had to be St. Patrick's Cathedral but wasn't happy that this vivid image of my childhood wasn't "perfect".  But after digging, analyzing, and opening my mind, I will now say that Ross's depiction of St. Patrick's Cathedral is "nearly perfect".  I can sleep well.  

Maybe subconsciously I was saving it for the last of Ross's real life references to tackle.  

Someone sent me this quote when I found the Mindworm's house back in February:

"And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there 
were no more worlds to conquer."

Ah, now what to do...

 

 

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ADAMANTIUM

ADAMANTIUM

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17 minutes ago, Spider-Variant said:

I'm just finally relieved I could make sense of what my eyes (older now, for sure) were seeing.  I knew that building had to be St. Patrick's Cathedral but wasn't happy that this vivid image of my childhood wasn't "perfect".  But after digging, analyzing, and opening my mind, I will now say that Ross's depiction of St. Patrick's Cathedral is "nearly perfect".  I can sleep well.  

Maybe subconsciously I was saving it for the last of Ross's real life references to tackle.  

Someone sent me this quote when I found the Mindworm's house back in February:

"And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there 
were no more worlds to conquer."

Ah, now what to do...

 

 

Cry on 96 tears?

There will be new sensations right now

The little old lady from Pasadena celebrates good times c'mon!

:tink:

 

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Get Marwood & I

Get Marwood & I

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36 minutes ago, Spider-Variant said:

Someone sent me this quote when I found the Mindworm's house back in February:

"And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there 
were no more worlds to conquer."

Whilst recognising a slight difference in the comparative scale of achievements, that is more or less where I am at with all my pence research now. Nothing left to report. Pass the tissues, sniff....

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Spider-Variant

Spider-Variant

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25 minutes ago, Get Marwood & I said:

Whilst recognising a slight difference in the comparative scale of achievements, that is more or less where I am at with all my pence research now. Nothing left to report. Pass the tissues, sniff....

For me, it's been a hell of a ride, and I appreciate all the kind words and support from the folks who have posted in this thread. Maybe I'll tackle the entire bronze age focusing on the real life references contained across the Marvel universe (sorry DC).  Or maybe I'll simply get a life, lol...

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Get Marwood & I

Get Marwood & I

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6 minutes ago, Spider-Variant said:

Oh, and we're getting this little thread you started to 2000 posts and 100,000 views.  :banana:

That's ninety nine and a half thousand more than most of mine :D

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Get Marwood & I

Get Marwood & I

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7 minutes ago, Spider-Variant said:

Oh, and we're getting this little thread you started to 2000 posts and 100,000 views.  :banana:

Shall we go for the life, Reggie, starting tomorrow?

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